Process of producing phonographic records.



T. EYNON. PROCESS 0F PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.25, i915.

' Patented N0v.28,1916

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

T. EYNON.

PROCESS 0F PRODUCING PHTOGRAFH|C RECORDS. APPLICATION man Auslzs. vH915.

*Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

'2 SHEETS-,SHEET 2.

ITED STATES @PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS EYNON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 RIBBON RECORD COMPANY, A

' CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

PROCESS 0F PROIDUCING: PHONOGRAPHIC RECORDS.

original application filed November 11,

To all Iwhom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS EYNON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of (look and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Producing Phonographic Records; and I- do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to phonographic records, and has for an object to provide a new and improved record of ribbon type with a new and improved methodoi:1 manufacturing such improved record.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 659,745, filed November 11, 1911, patented October 26, 1915, No. 1,158,377.

The main objects of thisvinvention are to provide an improved method of makingr flexible phonographic records; to provide an improved method of reproducingr flexible records from an initial plastic record; to provide an improved method of obtaining arecord blank; to provide an improved method of securing the matrix and record blank in position for reproducing the phonographic impression; to provide an improved method of reproducing the phonographic impression of the matrix upon the record blank; to provide improved apparatus for making; flexible records either in Y cylindrical or strip form; to provide an improved form of record blank Which is inexpensive, flexible, and adapted to be packed in compact form for shipment and Storage; to provide an'improved record having multiple impressions formed thereon in substantially parallel relation, each impression being-ithe reproduction of individual vocal or instrumental parts adaptedV to be rendered in concert; and to provide an im- -proved met od oobtammer the simultaneous and harmonious reproduction of the several impressions.

The accompanymg drawings illustrate diagraunmatically the various steps of the Speccation of Letters Patent.

1911, Serial No. 659,745.

Serial No. 47,298.

record blank.

Patented Nov. 28., 1916.

Divided and this application led August process, also suitable mechanism for carrying' out this invention and the resulting1 product.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus for transferring the impression to the outer surface of a record blank. Fig. 2 illustrates an apparatu for transferring the impression to the interior surface of a tional view taken on line A-A of Fig'. 1. Fig. -l is a4 perspective view of an electroplated plastic record. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the electro-plate removed from the plastic record. Fig. (i is a perspective view of' a mandrel upon which the paper record blank is formed. a blank being shown in position thereon. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the paper record. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of' a matrix record showing a record blank in position thereon, as made up from a strip of paper. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary face view of the' strip removed from the matrix after the impression has been taken.

In the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, as designed to carry out this invention, a member 1, preferably in the form of a cylinder, has a cylindrical bore 2, which is adapted to receivi` the matrix record 3, the exterior diameter 'of the matrix being substantially equal to the diameter of the bore 2. so as to snugly fit therein and prevent the matrix from becoming distorted when pressure is exerted against it. The pneumatic means whereby pressure is obtained for reproducingr the impression of the matrix record upon the record blank 4 comprises a flexible diaphragm in the form ot' a rubber cylinder 5, firmly secured at its ends to disks G and 7 carried on the rod 8. The rod '8, has a longitudinal bore 9 eX- tending` inward from one end and communicating with the interior of the rubber cylinder 5 b v means of a plurality of transverse apertures 10. The outer end of the rod 8 is provided with a pneumatic valve 11 of the usual construction, which permits the injection of air into the rubber casing 45, but prevents-its escape unless manually operated; )The cylinder 1 is provided with 100 Fig. 3 is a transverse sec-' a cap 12 screwed on to one end, and a cap 13 bolted tothe opposite end. Gaskets 14, preferably of rubber, are interposed between the caps 12 and 13 and the ends of the cylinder 1.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is adapted for use when the matrix record 3A has an impression formed on the exterior surface,

whereupon the impression is reproduced upon the interior surface of the record blank 4A. In lthis apparatus, the matrix record 3^ is secured upon a cylinder 15, which is inserted into the casing 1A and is supported upon a mandrel member 16, rigidly carried by the cap 13A. The pneumatic means comprises a flexible diaphragm in the form of a rubber casing or cylinder 5^ secured upon rings 6A, which may be suitably secured to the casing 1A within the bore 2^, as b y means of a threaded connection. The annular space between the rubber casing 5A and the cylinder 1A then becomes the. 'pneumatic chamber, and communication thereto is had by means of the aperture 17 controlled by the pneumatic valve 11A. In this construction, the caps 12A and 13" are provided with lapertures 18 and 19, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. l

My improved process primarily consists in forming a matrix record from the initial impression upon a plastic record, making a record blank, and reproducing the impression on the matrix record upon the record blank by means of apparatus just described.

Indescribing the various steps of my proc! ess, I will first describe such steps as they are to be performed when the records are to be made with the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, and then describe the -steps that are taken when the records are to be reproduced with the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

In either instance, the initial phonographic impression is made upon the usual plastic cylinder 20. If the record is to have several separate and individual impressions formed thereon to be simultaneously reproduced in concert, to constitute a harmonious Whole each instrumental orvoca'l part is separately and successively recorded 'upon the record in successive convolutlons simultaneously during the rendition of all the parts in concert. For instance, in a vocal solo With piano accompaniment, the solo is `recorded independently of the accompaniment while the piano is accompanying the singing as under the usual conditions, and then; the solo and accompaniment are repeated while the piano accompaniment is reproduced upon the record blank independently of the solo, the impressions on the record being engraved adjacent and in parallel relation to the impression engraved foi` The record is then electro-plated metal deposit 21, preferably of the solo.

with a copper.

glue, and the convolutions .cylinder of having its interior surface coated with shel- '-l^ may be. used for having 20 have been separated, the electro-plate or is placed in the casing 1 in-l reproducing the phono-'- matrix record 3 preparation for .graphic impression thereon upon a record blank. 1f a cylindrical record is to be made, the

record blank comprises a piece of flexible material 22, such as a sheet of paper, which is formed into a cylinder. This is most easily done by wrapping theheet of paper, 22 about a mandrel or form 23`, so that the exterior diameter of the paper cylinder Will be substantially equal to the interior diame-l ter of the matrix record 3. The ends ofthe paper are slightly tapered so as to make as neat and substantially imperceptible a joint' as possible where the two ends of the 'paper overlap. rlhe outer surface of the paper cylinder is then coated with a plastic substance or composition, such as shellac, and allowed to dry. After thev sliellac has dried, the

paper cylinder, which then constitutes the record Vblank 4, is placed within the matrix record 3, and a reproduction of the impression on the matrix is made upon the record blank. be insufficient, a second or third coat may he applied after each coat has become dried.

If the electro-plate 21 is to be used for reproducing records with the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, after milling or filing to render it true, the electro-plate is removed from the plastic cylinder 20, which may be readily done by slitting the electro-plate longitudinally. The electro plate is then reversed and placed upon a cylinder 15 with the surface having the phonographic impression facing outwardly. The electro-plate is suitably seas by means of of the impression accurately matched at the juncture of the slit. The cylinder 15, together with the electro-plate 21. then constitutes' the matrix record 4A. A' record blank, comprisinga flexible material, such as paper curedto the cylinder 15,

lac and its interior diameter substantially equal 'to the exterior diameter of the matrix the phonographic impression reproduced thereon.

1f a record is to be made in. the form of a strip, a strip of papel'. substantially equal in width to the distance between the convolutioiis of the phpnograp-liic impressions on the matrix record l or 4^ is coated with a. plastic substance. such as sliellac, and allowed to dry. The strip is then" placed If one coating of sliellac is found to upon .the embossed face of the matrix record by securing one end thereto, and spirallyl matrix and the record will then be in the and one Which may be packed in compactV form of a loner strip. It is also possible to have the paper record 4 made into a strip by placing the record 'upon a. mandrel and putting the mandrel in a lathe. The lathe may then be adjusted to give the proper movement to a cutting tool, so as to travel along and cut the record between the convolutions oi' sets of convolutions of the plionographic impression, whereupon the record becomes a strip similar to that shown in Fig. 9.

After the apparatus, as shown in either of the Figs. l and 2, is assembled with the matrix reco-rd, record blank and pneumatic means all. in position, air is forced into the pneumatic chamber through the controlling valve, thereby causing the rubber diaphragm 5 or 5^ to expand and bear against the record blank, so as to create a uniform pressure over the entire surface of the record blank and cause the shellacked surface to have reproduced thereon the phonograpliic impression on the matrix record. In order to slightly soften the shellacked surface of the recordblank, it is desirable to apply heat thereto, Which may be conveniently done by placing the apparatus in a heated (iven or by immersing the apparatus shown in Fig. l in hot water or by running the hot Water through the mandrel 16, in the appa- "atus shown in Fig. 2, for which purpose the apertures 18 and 19 are provided in the ends 12A and 13A.v The apparatus is then allowed to cool sothat the shellacked surface again becomes hardened, whereupon -the apparatus may be dismantled and the reproduced record removed;

The product is a simple and inexpensive record, not readily destroyed accidentally,

` form either for shipment or storage. When one of these records is to be played, it is placed upon a suitable holder capable of being connected with the phonograph, and the reproducing stylus is set to engage and trace the impression thereon'. If the record bears multiple impressions, as hereinbefore explained, a plurality of reproducing styluses are properly set to respectively engage and trace the separa-te impressions so that all the impressions are simultaneously and harmoniously reproduced.

No attempt has been made to show all possible modifications of this invention, and it will be understood that numerous details may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention. as defined by the following claims.

I claim:-

l. The process of reproducing flexible phonograph records which consists in providing a substantially rigid matrix having embossed thereon a matrix impression of a spiral record, placing a flexible record blank against said impression, and applying pressure to act against said record blank to canse the record to be embossed by the matrix upon saidy record blank, and then dividing said record blank along a spiral linebetween adjacent convolutions so as to form a fiexible strip having the phonograph record running lengthwise thereon.

2. The process of reproducing flexible phonographic records which consists in forming the initial spiral phoiiograpliic inipression on a cylindrical plastic i'ecord blank, making a substantially rigid matrix of the impression on said plastic record, separatingtlie matrix and record, placing a flexible record blank against said matrix and applying pressure to cause the record to be embossed by said matrix upon lsaid record blank, and then dividing said record ,blank along a spiral line extending along and between convolutions of the record so as to forni a strip having the record reproduced thereon in a continuous line from one end of said strip to the other.

'3. The process of reproducing phonographic i'ecords which consists in coating a flexible sheet of material with a plastic substance to form a record blank, bringing said blank in contact with a matrix record and applying pressure to cause the i'ecord to be embossed upon said blank, forming the latter into a cylinder, and then dividing it along a spiral line extending between convolutions of the recoi'd so as to form a lstrip having the record thereon iii a continuous line from one end of said strip to the other.

4. The process of reproducing phonographic iecords which consists in coating a flexiblcwylinder with a plastic s'ubstaiice to form a'- record blank, bringing" said record blank cylinder in contact with a matrix record and applying pressure to cause the record to, be embossed upon' said record cylinder, and then dividing the latter along a spiral line extending between convolutions of the record so as to form a strip having the record reproduced thereon in a continuphonographic records which consists in coating a HeXible sheet of material wrth a plastic substance to form a record blank, placing said record blank in contact with a cylindrical matrix record and applyingpressure to balise the record to be embossed by said matrix upon said record blank, and then dividing' said record blank along a spiral line extending' along` and between convolutions of the record so as to forni a strip having' the record reproduced thereon in a continuous line from one end ol said strip to the other.

(3. The process volE reprodluingv flexible phonographic records which consists in coating' a flexible cylinder stance to form a record blank. placing' said record blank in contact with a cylindrical matrix record and applying' pressure to cause the record to be embossed by said Inatrix upon said record blank, and then dividing said record blankalong' 4a spiral line extending' along,r and between convolutions ot' the record so as to form a strip having the with a plastic subrecord reproduced thereon in a continuous line from one end of said strip to the other. T. The process of reproducing phonographic records which consists in providing 2g applying pressure to cause said record to be embossed on the blank, and thendlvldmg 35 such blank along a spiral line extending between convolutions of the record so as t0 form a strip having the record thereon ina continuous line from one end of the strip to the other. l

ln testimony whereof I allix my signature. THOMAS EYN ON.

u l n n sald cylinders one Within;A 

